Ava’s First Game

Today was a really big day for Ava, and for all of us to some degree, as we watched and cheered for her in her first real ice hockey game. We were actually thrown for a loop that we never could have seen coming because each week the goalie position is assigned to a different player, and Ava was one of the girls selected to play goalie in game 1. She was actually a little upset about it at first, but Jessica and I both spoke with her about having a good attitude, trying new things, and doing what the team needs her to do. Not surprisingly she ended up having fun and making the best of it, and for the rest of us it was so fun to watch.

I think it’s fair to say Ava is more cut out to be a skater than a goalie, and right after the game she said she had fun, but was looking forward to being a “normal player” again soon. Other than the coaching she got last night at practice, she had never done any goaltending before, or had to wear so much gear, so I’m really proud of how she handled it. It’s definitely going to be memorable for us that Ava’s first game (hopefully of many) was spent playing goalie.

I was actually a bit of a nervous wreck going into the game. I couldn’t help but think about what already feels like countless practice hours we’ve put in. I thought about her stepping on the ice for the first time back in early January, 2017, then getting into her first skating class later that same month. I thought about when she switched from figure skates to hockey skates, and being the only kid (in any of the classes) wearing hockey skates. I thought about how hard that transition was for her, and how upset she got the first time she had to put all her hockey gear on. I thought about her dropping down and making “ice angels” in the middle of her first hockey class in Everett. I thought about the whole year of hockey classes she attended last year, never missing a day, never coming off the ice. I thought about her last 3 on 3 session this summer when she got the puck, took off on a fast break with other girls chasing her, controlled the puck all the way down the rink, got the shot off on goal, and scored. Didn’t matter that there was no goalie and she scored on her own goal, it was still an awesome way to end the year, and a difficult thing to do. Then I thought about how it all boiled down to this first game, and here she was chomping at the bit to get out there with her team. I thought about how funny it was seeing her in goalie gear, and most of all, I thought about how proud I was of her.

It’s funny how hockey has become such a big part of our lives in such a short time, but between the people I’ve met with my Sunday group, and all the people I’m meeting through Washington Wild, it really has become a big thing for us. In fact, earlier this week I got to do something hockey-related that felt really good – since October is giving month at Microsoft, I signed up to participate in a charity pickup hockey game, with all proceeds going to charity. It was actually a two-part event because there was a 5k skate first, then the hockey game after.

There must have been 30-40 people participating in the 5k skate, many of whom had never ice skated before (love that), but there were only 5 of us there for the game, two of which being myself and a guy I invited. Anyone was welcome for either event, and the registration requirements were simple: donate $50 either to a charity of your choice, or to the Ronald McDonald House, and make the donation through the Microsoft Giving website because they are matching everyone’s donation by 100%. So for this two hour event we were able to raise about $5,000 for charity, which for me felt awesome to be a small part of.

Since there were so few people there to play hockey, we ended up with a rink to ourselves for an entire hour. That alone was worth the $50 to me. We played 2 on 2 for a bit, then 3 on 2 after that. The best part for me, from a playing perspective, was that I had a hat trick in the first game before the other team had a single goal. More importantly, I met some cool new Microsoft people that I share a common interest with, and had a blast playing with them. Not a bad way to spend a Thursday afternoon.

Overall work has been going well for me lately, but it’s always nice to have the flexibility to step away and participate in things like this. Throughout the month of October there are tons of different charity events and volunteering opportunities, so hopefully I’ll get a chance to do some more. They’re also bringing a wide variety of people in this fall for this internal TV show we do called Outside In. It’s basically a talk show format where people from all walks of life come in to talk about whatever they like. Sally Field will be coming this month, and Jessica is coming to join me the following week because Chelsea Clinton will be there.

There was a little stretch there at the end of this summer where I was feeling like I may have reached a professional crossroads, and found myself examining a few opportunities, both internal and external, but in the end, sometimes no move is the right move. I realised through the process that I’m already in the best place for me to be in, but sometimes it takes a real look at some other potential situations in order to have the most possible appreciation for the one you already have. As if to solidify that, I was just selected for a really cool new project at work that a bunch of us were volunteering for. My manager selected me for it, which was super flattering, and I now find myself working on some pretty cutting edge stuff. Like every big project, it’s an opportunity to learn new things, and deliver big results for the team. I can’t say more than that for now, but look forward to sharing details once it goes live.

Jessica also had something fun and out of the ordinary this week – she got to join our friend Solana (and a couple of her friends) for the Beyonce/Jay Z concert at Centurylink Field. It was a huge show, and she never gets out to do stuff like this, so she had a really good time. She’s been working more than normal lately and definitely deserved it, but obviously it was extremely generous of Solana to bring her. I’m glad they had a fun night, and apparently it was a great show.

Elise is cruising right along with Kindergarten and things are going well. She loves being in Mrs. Johnson’s class, and it’s perfect having Ava’s class be just two doors down. She fell into a routine pretty much immediately, and is making plenty of friends. There was a school fundraiser at the Everett Skate Deck earlier this week, so we all attended. The girls were thrilled to see all their friends at a social event, and Ava didn’t mind showing off her skating skills. Elise is still using the walker bars while skating, but she’s starting to get really good, and I don’t think she really needs them. She was actually spending a bunch of time skating with a boy from her class – not quite sure how I feel about that.

Ava, on the other hand was flying around the rink. She participated in a race with other girls in her age bracket, and not surprisingly, she took first place. Then Enzo was enjoying getting out there as well. He and I were doing this thing where I held his hands and skated backwards, so we could face each other. We’d get going pretty quickly, and he loved that. I think I only ran into two or three kids that entire time I was skating backwards 😉

Speaking of our little Zoey, he’s doing so good. He loves going to pre-school, and Jessica has been keeping him busy with other activities as well. For example on Mondays she takes him swimming at our gym because the pool is always empty. Even though he’s young, he’s already ready for more than just two hours of class twice a week, so it’s good that Jessica is able to provide a little more activity and stimulation for him.

Oh yeah, and before I go, I should probably mention that we recently ended up purchasing a brand new family vehicle, and when I say brand new, I literally mean brand new! It’s a 2019 Honda Odyssey Elite, which is Honda’s top-of-the-line minivan. It’s easily the nicest car either of us has ever owned, and we’re absolutely in love with it. My favorite part about it is all the technology it has; we’ve never even owned a car with a backup camera or a nav system, and this goes WAY beyond that stuff. The kids love it for the rear entertainment system, but now they want to watch a movie every time we get in the car, regardless of how far we’re going. We’re like a commercial because the kids all have their headphones on in the back, watching the movie, then we’re up front enjoying a little music (and their silence). When we need to speak to them, we just hit the “Cabin Talk” button and it gives us an intercom straight into their headphones. Or if we think they’re up to something, we can turn on the “Cabin Watch” camera, and keep a closer eye on them. It really is incredible.

Strangely enough, the kids were super sad to see our old van, affectionately named by them “Radar”, go out to pasture. They were hugging and kissing it, but my favorite part was when we pulled up in the Honda dealership and saw our shiny new van waiting for us. Ava unbuckled her seatbelt, popped up and said “Well, I guess this is goodbye Radar”, and went running off to the new van.

The old van was so beat up it was embarrassing to be trading it in. The air conditioning hadn’t worked for years, the drivers side sliding door didn’t open, and there was cosmetic damage everywhere. They probably chuckled seeing us roll up in that hooptie, most likely made worse by the fact that I was wearing a heavy metal (Megadeth) t-shirt, but we still managed to walk out with the nicest car they sell. From my perspective it felt so good to be helping to provide my family with such a nice, safe car with all the bells and whistles. Especially since they have already earned it many times over.

Now we’re rolling in style. The day after we picked it up we drove out to Leavenworth, and ended up having the kind of experience we’d been hoping for a couple years ago when we went there for the tree lighting ceremony. On our way out there we stopped at Steven’s Pass for a mini hike, then enjoyed a nice lunch, shopping at candy stores, and enjoying all there is to see in Leavenworth.

As of today we’ve already put 1,300 miles on the van, but we’re taking such good care of it, you’d think we just took it home from the lot. Since it has a built-in vacuum, Jessica is constantly cleaning up, and she and Enzo have already hand washed it three times.

Later this month we’ll be getting a Halloween visit from Grandma and Grandpa Martin, then after that the holidays will be in full effect. Where has this year gone? It’s hard to keep up with, but as always, Jessica and I are beyond thankful for all that we have, all that we get to do, and the awesome lives we’ve carved out together. This month marks 11 years together, and it just keeps getting better. Here’s some recent pics.

Ready to go

First day of preschool for Mr. Enzo

Elise always dresses for the occasion

Goodbye Radar – you treated us well!

And hello there…

My favorite goalie, even if only for one game.